Chile Forum

Hi Vicki, a quick search turned up http://www.tilingguide.com/ and http://www.helpwithdiy.com/tiling/set-o ... tiles.html
things are a lot easier nowadays with backer board etc. Good luck.

j. Ro wrote:Secondly, I think your windows where installed right the first time. The rough opening size is always larger then the actual window size… usually about 1/4” on all sides. It should never be so tight that you have to force the window into the opening or that there is no space between the window and the wood. Usually that space is filled with spray foam insulation to keep your energy efficiency rating, maybe they missed that part.

The way it worked was that the original window installers put in an aluminium surround (pre-marco) and then arrived with the PVC windows (with integrated frames) later. The window frames were actually too big to fit into the aluminium surround, so they started shaving PVC off to make them fit it. They didn't do it right, and were left with uneven gaps between the surround and the frame. The second company also did the aluminium surround, but then specified wooden frames to go over these before installing the windows.

j. Ro wrote:My guess is that the efficiency of your house is going to be significantly better than most buildings in the area. From the information I have seen on the weather in Valdivia it says it rarely dips below zero, so your heating will be minimal. Just don’t forget to insulate your attic, which is the only thing you didn’t describe in your post. If you can get an R-40 do it… some people might say it is over kill for a place that rarely gets below freezing… but warm air rises so something like 75% of you heat tries to escape through your roof.

I think you're right, and one wood-burning stove should be enough to keep the house warm in winter. The attic is partly used as a third floor, and it's also had the polyurethane spray put between the roof and the inside panelling. The company who did it was Temuco-based, they just send down a tanker and two guys for a few hours.

Thanks MikieO, I think 12 months from now we will be really happy with the house. It's just annoying to have to search for new contractors to pick up the pieces in a hurry.

Hey Frank,

A properly insulated and sealed house in the Valdivian climate will probably need no heating at all... except for the coldest days of the year. You would be surprised how many BTU's are but out buy other things in the house, like; cooking, your computer and other electronics... and of course you.

Just keep your doors and windows closed in the winter and you will be laughing. And with the spray foam insulation could potentially be in the small group of homes in Chile that cost next to nothing to heat.

Jason Roesler, AT
ISH